2016: Biking over 4,000 miles down the Natchez Trace Parkway (Again), and then from Seattle, WA to Washington D.C. (Again), for The Fuller Center for Affordable Housing. Stopping numerous times along the way to help build affordable houses.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Wow, I have a follower on my blog, thank you Lavern. I just found my follower last night, so I added that section to my blog page so it shows. I am still trying to learn how my blog works, and to respond properly, so please bear with me. Lavern, I hope Tadeusz got my email response to your week 2 training comment. Next time I will answer in comments like I should.

So far I am still the oldest rider, but we now have 2 other riders over the age of 60 doing the entire ride, with another 2 doing one or more of the segments. And, we now have Leonard Pope, Kansas City Chiefs tight end as our honorary chair. I think Pope should get a bike, eliminate the honorary part, and actually ride some. Nice to have him on board in support. We are up to 27 Whole Way Riders, and 28 riders doing one or more segments.

My training has not been as exciting as the ride is getting to be. I missed Monday and Tuesday with my bike in the shop, and Wednesday and Thursday getting and recovering from my second cortisone shot in my lower back. This shot will work or not, it’s not up to me, but I will be riding. So far it feels pretty good.

Only a total of about 5:30 hours and 59 miles for the week. Lower miles equates to a weight loss of nothing! Still at 205. Maybe I should not have enjoyed that root beer float last night. I sent my Garmin Edge 705 in for repair, so I have been riding without a computer and guessing at mileage last week. I should get it back early this week, I hope. Garmin has a nice program now. As soon as they receive your unit, they ship a new unit back to you. Then they rebuild your old one and resell it, and my cost was very reasonable.

Temperature looks good for most of next week, however, some rain is in the forecast. I should be able to ride around the rain and increase my riding days and mileage. I need to start getting some longer distance rides in.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Rode 5 days this week for a total of 10:45 hours and 116.1 miles. The heart rate is staying within zones, but now the legs aren't strong enough to push the heart to train harder. This may just mean that the body is not ready to work that hard. Another couple of weeks and they should be working together properly. I am using heart rate zones that were established two years ago, and I should probably get tested again. Maybe I can find time soon?

The weight is dropping, I lost another 3 lbs this week, which puts me at 205 lbs. I am staying on track with the weight, and if I can keep it up I should weigh about 180 lbs when I start the ride.

Vecchio’s has the gears, so I will drop off my bike tomorrow evening, and it should be ready by Tuesday. Finding time to ride next week could be problematic. I am scheduled for another cortisone shot Wednesday morning, so I will miss Wednesday and Thursday. I work at the Raptor Education Foundation on Monday, and not sure how soon I will get my bike back on Tuesday. The good news is that the weather looks like it will be staying clear and warm enough, and I will just have to make the time to ride.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A little disappointed in the ability of The Fuller Center to record donations on my contribution page. They are doing the best with the system they have, but you must be on my page and use the “donate now” button, to be added to the thermometer. Then you must choose to have your name or “anonymous” added to the “honor role” or then be able to add a comment with your name. If you just send in a check it is recorded on my account, but it can’t be added to the contribution page. They are working to upgrade the system, and it should be much better next year. A big thanks to the Texas cowgirl who made a nice donation that does not show up on my page.

Well, I have started to concentrate some on my weight, and lost my goal of 2 lbs a week, so I am now down to 208 lbs. I was only able to get three rides in this week for a total of about 4 hrs and about 49 miles. My heart rate is starting to work a little more efficiently, so that’s good. Peter at Vecchio’s Bicicletteria has ordered parts for my bike for bigger granny gears. The last time I asked Peter for bigger gearing he told me to just lose 20 lbs, which I did. But now the 20 lbs+ is back and he has more options for gearing, so I will be able to climb easier, especially with a loaded bike. Should have the gears by the end of next week, and maybe even installed by then. I have also switched to heavier more puncture proof tires to try to eliminate some flat tires. No matter what they claim, these goat heads (grass burrs in other parts of the country) go thru just about anything.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Two rides in finally. I rode last Monday, before I received the cortisone shot, and I just finished my second ride today. Both rides about 10 miles in about an hour, but a start. I will be riding within the guidelines of my heart monitor to make sure I do not overdue this old system. I am now 68 years old and will be 69 when the ride starts. I look around our 55+ community, and realize how blessed Lois and I are with our overall good health.

Looking back, I have only ridden nine times in the last 6 months. Which explains why I have gained about 25 lbs over the last year. Total inactivity and poor eating habits, and I now tip the scales at about 210 lbs. Mostly in my waistline. I was down to about 180, so my goal is to lose that 25 lbs before we start the ride. That is reasonable at about 2 lbs per week. I know it will make me feel better, and be much better for me. The cortisone shot seems to be working nicely. No more pain in my butt, and the numb toes seem to be coming back. Even if this is as good as it gets, it was worth it, and I am hoping for even more progress. The problem is the docs don’t know how long the relief will last. Anywhere from only a couple of weeks to a year or more. I am choosing the year or more.

Gotta find more time to get on the bike between the snow forecast activities, and the colder weather. Dry pavement and anything over 40 degrees and I am good to go.

After 6 weeks of rest, and a cortisone shot in my lower back, my orthopedic doc has now cleared me to begin activities again. Starting with some physical therapy, and some easy riding. I have a lot of arthritis in my back, and the rest of my body as well, but I hate sitting around, so I better start training.

The ride for me is now a possibility, and it is only about 13 weeks to the start, June 10 in Seattle. We now have 22 riders going the entire distance, and another 20 doing one or more segments. This is the largest group of riders Fuller has had, and it is getting very exciting for me to begin this journey.

I have added another link to this blog, “Tom’s Donation Page for Bike Adventure,” to make it easier for you to donate your “thousands” for this beautiful cause. All kidding aside, any amount will help and be greatly appreciated.

This last 6 months has been a bit difficult with all the injuries I’ve sustained. It started with a partial tear of my right rotator cuff playing tennis. Then some discomfort in my left shoulder from compensating for the right shoulder. Next my right foot/ankle started hurting as soon as I started playing tennis again. Weeks of PT later I started tennis again and the next day I fell riding my bike. That resulted in a separated left shoulder and more rest. Then my lower back started acting up and the ortho doc put me on 6 weeks of rest. So, I plan to ride more (without falling) and play less, or with less intensity? Is that possible for me?